FONTANA, Calif. – Aug. 10, 2017 – School is back in session and teachers are adding Lefty’s Reading Challenge to the syllabus. The free literacy program reaches over 150,000 students in nearly 250 elementary schools from San Bernardino, Riverside, Orange and Los Angeles Counties.

Elementary schools can register for FREE online atwww.leftyskidsclub.com/readingchallenge. Schools that register by September 15, 2017 will have the opportunity to have their School Principal and two guests take hot laps around the speedway in our official NASCAR Toyota Camry Pace Car.

Students participating in the month-long reading program will win money for their libraries, school-wide pizza parties, and free NASCAR race tickets.

Over the past eight years, Lefty's Reading Challenge has been an enormous success with nearly half a million students participating in Auto Club Speedway’s literacy program. Lefty’s Reading Challenge, part of Auto Club Speedway’s youth initiative, Lefty’s Kids Club, provides youth with a positive and enriching outlook on life inspiring achievement and education in an effort to build future race fans.

Educators tout Lefty’s Reading Challenge as a useful tool to encourage reading and is in compliance with the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) requirements.

In addition to Lefty’s Reading Challenge, Lefty’s Kids Club has several activities planned including Lefty’s Track Day on August 24, 2017. The public is welcome to drive the track for a cause and can donate a new or lightly used children's book. All books received will be donated to the Inland Empire United Way's School Tools program for local classrooms.